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As a valued supporter, we are pleased to bring you up-to-speed with a weekly round-up of activities from RMA – The Royal Marines Charity and the wider Corps Family.
2024 promises to be filled with lots of exciting news as we celebrate the Royal Marines 360th Birthday and commemorate D-Day 80.
This week, it’s clear that our fabulously ever-creative and ambitious fundraisers have set off at a fast pace, with one on the brink of setting a new world record: a beneficiary is making precious memories – and the ever-popular Booty bears are back!
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Mission Spiritus Antarctica update
Last week, we reported they had covered 800km in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Weather permitting, this weekend should see Mission Spiritus Antarctica’s awesome Alan Chambers and Dave Thomas (pictured above) reach the impressive 1,000km point in their gruelling attempt to ski unsupported to the South Pole, leaving them ‘only’ 130 km left to go!
This milestone will be an incredible achievement in its own right. The two former Royal Marines, with a combined age of a just under century and a quarter, will have already been on the ice for 50 days, dragging their sleds with all their food, fuel and stores behind them.
When reaching their ultimate destination somewhere around 18th January (as always, weather permitting), Dave – at the age of just over 68 years – will become the oldest person to reach the geographic S Pole unaided, by an impressive four years!
Whilst primarily a multi-faceted polar scientific expedition undertaking research into the global impact of nano plastics on behalf of Columbia University Lamont and the effects sensory deprivation has on the body in prolonged remote climates in conjunction with Manchester Met University, we could not be more grateful that they are also generously raising funds for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. Please consider supporting this magnificent duo via their JustGiving page here.
Peter’s Story
Serving in the Royal Marines is one of the toughest jobs in the Armed Forces and theatres of conflict such as Iraq and Afghanistan continue take their toll on many of those still serving.
As a senior NCO with almost 25 years’ service already under his belt, Peter is just one.
He has complex mental health needs but is successfully battling through with the support of experienced military medical teams.
His health issues have had a devastating impact on his family life and the constant change in his personal situation has proved an added burden.
Read about how, with some innovative thinking and a small grant, this beneficiary is now creating happy memories with his young daughters, and the positive impact this is having on his own mental health and wellbeing.
Circle of life
Our very best wishes go to all the Recruits embarking on their Royal Marines Commando training this year. This week, RM Recruit Fin Robertson is one of those, starting out at the beginning of his own RM journey.
It was an especially poignant moment for him when he stepped off the train at Lympstone given his grandfather and former Royal Marine, Mike {pictured above), died last year. “A career in the Royal Marines was a big part of his life,” says Fin, “so the family decided to set up a JustGiving page for the funeral in his memory.“
The result? Family and friends donated a whopping £1,456.75 (including Gift Aid) for RMA – The Royal Marines Charity for which we are truly humbled. Our grateful thanks – and welcome to the Royal Marines Family!
Come rain or shine
Congratulations and many thanks to former RM Charlie Over who, with a team of four serving and two other former Royal Marines as support, last week in the Peak District National Park braved heavy rain and ran 60 miles in just 16 hours and 21 minutes, raising £655 (inc Gift Aid) for our Charity.
He said: “We chose the 60-miler as sort of a grizz test: having completed 30 milers ourselves we thought – what can test us to our limit that none of us have done before?!”
Huge thanks, too, to fun fundraiser, former Royal Marine Ian ‘Brum’ Tennant (pictured right) from Cornwall who used his 60th birthday party in December to raise £747.50 for our Charity.
Hoofin’ efforts!
Shopping Corner
The hugely popular Royal Marines Booty Bears are back in stock – and sporting the new flash!
These cute, plush teddies come in two sizes – 6” and 9” – and are wearing the MTP combat uniform of the Royal Marines featuring the newly issued Royal Marines Commando Flash, complete with green beret.
They are available exclusively from the Royal Marines Shop that is wholly owned by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity. All profits come back to the Charity to help support the Corps Family.
In the news
DECEMBER 2023
1st CHAMP Building – Naming of Plaisterers’ Room COBSEO
7 Fundraising Virtual Charity Row Exmouth Journal
7 MOU Bootnecks into Business COBSEO
15 Winter Deployment Scotland COBSEO
18/19/20/25 Mission Spiritus Antarctica BFBS radio x 2 inc Christmas Day (total air time 14m30s): BBC Wales; In Your Area; Forces.net; MercoPress S Atlantic News Agency
18 Jim Morris Cycle Challenge Exeter Today podcast
29 Guildhall Dinner Torbay Weekly
Winter edition Health & Wellbeing case study – Paul’s story Homeport RN magazine pages 56/57